Sunday, September 11, 2011

On this day ten years ago my class and I finally bonded. Our school was on a year round schedule at that time, and we had started our school year in early July. We had hardly started when I was off work for surgery and six weeks of recovery. As any teacher will tell you, there was a chance that, due to my absence, I would struggle to bond with this group for the remainder of the school year. That was not to be the case.

It is my habit to turn on the news in the morning and watch bits and pieces as I wake up, drink my coffee, and get ready to leave the house. That morning I saw the announcement of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center, and then live when the second plane hit. Still not comprehending exactly what was going on, I left for work on time.

I remember exactly where I was — the signal at Tyler and Hole — when I heard on the radio that the first tower fell. When I arrived at school all of the adults were talking about what they knew and gathering information someone else had heard. Most of the students at the elementary school were relatively unaware of what was happening, and even less aware of its meaning (although, looking back, few of us truly had any idea). But enough of the children had heard some of what had happened so that the word spread, and so did the fear and rumors.

The teachers and administrators spent much of the day calming fears and trying to maintain a normal schedule. When a recess or lunch occurred we would race to a location, usually the office, where we might be able to get some current news, to see what was happening. To shed a few tears. Back in class, as the news worsened, we did whatever it took to make the children feel safe. I did not cry in front of the students, but that was a hard won accomplishment. In twenty years, I only remember one other time when it was nearly impossible not to cry in front of my class and that is when I was told about a former student being shot to death. I had to turn away from them.

Although I had only been in the classroom a few days with these children, at some time (and I can not tell you when) we must have had a discussion about President Kennedy being assassinated. I had told them that I remember exactly where I was when I heard that news...sitting on a small hill in the playground at recess at the elementary school I went to.

But they remembered the conversation, these children, ten years ago! During one of our discussions during the course of the day, one of them raised their hand and said "This is going to be our President Kennedy, isn’t it, Ms. Prime? We will never forget this day." "Yes," I said, "I believe it will."

Although much of that day is a haze, I remember driving home, looking into the sky, and thinking how strange it was to know there were no planes up there. I remember watching the news that evening, finally being able to cry...and I cry today.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Dan Meyer says: From my Dad's collection, the exterior of 408 N. Broadway in Redondo Beach, just blocks from what is now Redondo Beach Harbor. The house has been demolished and replaced by condos. The children in front are probably (had been identified to me by my father) as Art and Ferd Meyer, sons of John Meyer (brother of Rev. Andrew C. Meyer), who was a postman in Los Angeles at the time of the Rev. Andrew C. Meyer family's immigration to Southern California.

Dan Meyer says: Here is a photo of Aunt Annie's sun porch and I know for certain Grandma Ellna Meyer is sitting with her arms folded 2nd from the left...the address was 408 N. Broadway in Redondo Beach, just blocks from what is now Redondo Beach Harbor. The house has been demolished and replaced by condos.

Does anyone know the identity of the other women in this picture?

Update! Dan Meyer says: The lady facing the camera with her legs folded is Mrs. Ramage, the mother of my mom Margaret's best friend, Ace Cunningham, Mrs Ramage was a renter (boarder) of a room from Aunt Annie. We just called her "Grandma Ramage" so I don't recollect her first name, if I ever did know it.

Dan Meyer says: Yesterday, April 24, was the anniversary of the plane crash that took cousinEddie's life in 1944 while serving in the US Army Air Corps.The photoshows Eddie, Uncle Ed Meyer, his father and your mom Edie, his cousinwho was closest in age to Eddie of the cousins in California at thetime, graduating in the same High School class at Redondo Beach UnionHigh School."

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Dan Meyer says: "I really love your family blog...I'm sending you a photo of Andrew C.Meyer and his bride Elna Katherine Beise Meyer on their wedding dayApril 12, 1891. Maybe you can post it on the anniversary day!"

Dan Meyer says: "Photo of Andrew C. and Elna K. Beise on their wedding day April 12,1891. It occured in Freistadt MO about 15 miles from St John'sLutheran Church in Stones Prarie, MO (near Purdy). Some of us areplanning a reunion at St Johns at their 125 Anniversary, the weekendof Sept. 26 and 27 of this year. Come join us if you can arrange it."

Friday, April 10, 2009

John, Ed, Harold* and Andy Meyer taken in 1958; the sons of Andrew and Elna Meyer. (Information provided by Bill Meyer)

Dan Meyer sent me this picture and says:"It's the anniversary of my Dad's birthday (April 9). I really likethis photo of him with three of his Redondo Beach brothers taken inJuly 1958. Pass it on if you care to. Highest regards to you, maybethis will make Patti's Blog!"It is a great picture! Thank you for sharing it!

*Bill Meyer says, "Dad went by Fred, his middle name, around us. But he was called Boots by his brothers and sisters. He got that name as a kid because he would wear out shoes so they put him in boots."